Isupport the ideas in your latest leader (“A heavy responsibility”, March 15). However, fairytales should be relegated to the innocence of childhood. The “leader” foisted upon South Africa by the African National Congress is not capable of any of the rational proposals you suggest for racial reasons and other less debilitating impediments.
It is time you recognised that formely disadvantaged “freedom fighters” support the ethics of democracy only as long as the electorate proffer their support. What has happened and is happening north of the Limpopo is neither new nor unexpected. As for our own chances on the African democracy tumbril, “what is past is prologue”. If you doubt that, you have only to wait for Madiba to shuffle off this mortal coil. “Mene, mene tekil upharsin.” A Hattingh
May I express my disgust at the South African official sanction of the rigged elections in Zimbabwe. To state that the election was not free and fair but nonetheless legitimate is a gross dereliction of their duties as observers. Only Mugabe and his gangster cronies will benefit. The rest of the 13-million people in this forsaken country will starve and die, and all because the South African observers did not have the courage to tell the truth. Chris Casselden, London
I remain unconvinced of the alleged “crisis”, which appears to be the product of a rather fevered sub’s mind, as well as inept political analysis and even more simplistic economic analysis.
Referring to alleged intimidation by Zanu-PF supporters, analysts have glossed over intimidation by the West their threatened sanctions. All this focus succeeds in obtaining is the placing of Mugabe and Zanu-PF “between a rock and a hard place” if Tsvangirai doesn’t win, it must be because of some electoral manipulation.
It inevitably becomes a selffulfilling prophecy if Tsvangirai doesn’t win, political turmoil in the country will ensue fuelled, of course, by the inevitable consequences of sanctions. Tony Seeber
Poor old Sam Motsuenyane. Who would have thought that a man of integrity and wealth should trade his soul for nothing more than a ticket to Harare and a fortnight in Meikle’s Hotel? Ron McGregor, Cape Town
For 23 years I have been proud to say I am a Zimbabwean. Unless you have lived in or visited our beautiful country, you will never know the pride that our people had. Pride not only in our land, but in each other too.
Until two years ago, this nation was one of peace and tranquillity, one filled with the sound of laughter and the feeling of love.
Two years ago that all changed. Our “illustrious leader” showed his true colours.
From turning people on to the street, to torturing animals, to killing, starving and threatening his own citizens.
He is greedy beyond words and he is evil.
The election was to be the first ray of sunshine Zimbabweans have had, our very lives were directed towards that day, when we, the citizens had the power in our hands, to turn the country over to a party that respects truth, our beliefs and opinions, and doing what is right for our country. We were robbed of that day.
Mugabe was so desperate he ignored his country’s cry for help, and in order to regain power, he rigged our elections.
It was the only way he could win the election.
We are angry! We want justice! We are tired! We want him out! We are waiting for you to now hear our cry! The Zimbabwean elections were rigged without a doubt. Innocent people were beaten, threatened, kidnapped and killed, in order for Zanu-PF to regain power.
Please do not accept these results as “free and fair” they are far from that. Raquel Azevedo
I am a very concerned Zimbabwean living in South Africa and when I see the massive fraud that has been committed at the expense of a nation of people who are desperate for change, I cringe. There is no way known that such a criminal and his bully henchmen can prevail for much longer
His and his party’s assets in monetary value are probably worth the gross domestic product of Zimbabwe, and yet hundreds of thousands of innocent people will starve because of the lack of basic foodstuffs and medical supplies .
This man has absolutely no concern whatsoever for anybody but his inner ring and one questions his sanity .
All of us pray that the rest of the world realises and denounces the fraud and hope that you will be able to carry the message to them. J Parks
What the hell do the Zimbabweans think they are? Instead of electing a competent leader they elected that tried and tested authoritarian who goes by the name of Mad Bob. When will these poor people learn? Anyway, who gives a shit about Zimbabweans? Even President Thabo Mbeki doesn’t give a damn about these pathetic fools. Mosikare Oarabile Rops, Port Elizabeth